Advanced Program Structure
Unlike Levels One and Two, the teaching order for Level Three isn’t defined or structured—and that’s by design. It allows the teacher the freedom to decide what their advanced class should focus on, making it as unique as the students in it.
Advanced classes can cover a range of topics—from specific steps to performance preparation, musicality, solos, advanced duet passing steps, and so much more.
Since the structure is flexible, I’ve arranged the Level Three classes in the order I would present them to my students. Feel free to follow this sequence or create your own—it’s all about what works best for you and your students.
Ideas for Planning Your Level Three (Advanced) Classes
Build Up Your Class Levels Each Week: Just as we build up combinations in a performance, you can do the same with your class levels. For example, if you’re teaching Bodywave and Rhythmic Undulation in Level One and the Hip Twist in Level Two, you might choose Deep Bodywaves and the Alabama Twister for the same week in Level Three. This gives your students the chance to explore variations within the same family, helping them see how these movements can come together in a performance.
Stick With a Movement Type: Consider dedicating an entire month of classes to a specific movement type, like twists. You could teach the Sahra Turn, Double Back, Barrel Turn, and other twist-centric movements, incorporating the theme into your warm-ups as well. This approach allows students to focus on the twisting sensation in their bodies, deepening their connection to the movements. You can apply the same idea to undulations, shimmies, and other movement types.
Concept Focus: Another option is to center your classes around a concept like duet passing or fades. You could spend a month working on one slow and one passing concept each week, beginning the series by introducing the basics of partner facing, angles, and overlaying dance boxes.
The possibilities in teaching and learning are endless! The key is to stay curious, experiment with new teaching ideas, and discover what resonates with your students. And most importantly, HAVE FUN! Your enthusiasm and love for learning will naturally inspire your students to feel the same.
If you have questions about any of our programs or teaching order please be sure to join us for Ask Carolena every last Sunday of every month. It's the perfect opportunity to get direct answers from THE source. I love how always open and willing Carolena is to share her 40+ years of dancing and teaching experience with us all.
Below is the course listing for our Level Three Program:
Headslides
Picky Technique: Musicality for Wrap Around Turn and Resham-Ka Duet Combination
Resham-Ka Spins
Strong Arm
Triangle Step
Medusa 1&2
Swivel Step Sweep Back (Egyptian Sevillana)
Alabama Twister
The Magic of Duets
Sunanda and Sunanda Duet Combination
Do Si Do Duet Combination
Dueling Duets and Rush Hour
Picky Technique: Taxeem, Torso Rotation, Wet Dog, Shoulder Shimmy/ Hip Drop Combo and Mazin-Inspired (Ghawazee) Shimmy
Picky Technique: Circle Step and Shimmy Feet
WaterPot
Double Back and 1/2 Turn
Calibrated Spins
Barrel Turn
Sahra Turn
Picky Technique Hands and Feet: Sahra, Barrel and Wrap Around Turn, Forward and Back (Turkish) Shimmy 1/4 Turn Fade
Wet Dog
Reverse Shimmy
Sahra Duet Passing
Shell Game Concepts
Choo Choo Arc Arm Trio Combo
(Chico) Four Corners Duet Passing
Slow Diagonal Fade
(Chico) Four Corners Circle Up
(Arabic) Orbit
Picky Technique: Transitions
“Lock In” Your Transitions Part 1,2,3
Moving Sculptures
Bellyroll
Formation of One Part 1 & 2
Retrain Your Brain
Deep Dive Series
Dancing in Flow with Carolena
Deep Bodywaves and Laybacks
Floorwork Part 1
Floorwork Part 2: Mermaid Turns
Floorwork Part 3: Knee Walks
Floorwork Part 4: Zippers
Floorwork Part 5: Wrap Around Drop
Floorwork Warm Up and Drills